How many times have you experienced a sudden rise in obsessive thoughts? How many times have you felt panic attacks? If you feel that your intrusive thoughts are overwhelming and interfering with your daily life, then you might be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD attacks. OCD is a common mental illness that involves sudden and intense episodes of intrusive thought, which are referred to as OCD attacks. During the OCD episode or spike, the frequency and intensity of OCD symptoms increase and the person feels a panic attack. However, if you want to know more about the OCD attack and the ways to deal with it, then read this article. This is a comprehensive guide that describes each aspect of the OCD attack and also provides guidance to overcome the OCD attack. So let’s take a look!
What is an OCD attack?
An OCD attack is a period in which there is a sudden or unexpected increase in the severity of the OCD symptoms, specifically obsessions, and compulsions. Moreover, an OCD attack is also referred to as an OCD episode or spike. Individuals feel stuck in a storm of intense emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Due to the increased severity of symptoms, individuals feel elevated stress or anxiety. The duration as well as intensity of OCD attacks is different for each individual. Likewise, each affected individual exhibits a varied response.
During OCD attacks, various physical symptoms occur such as a rise in heart and respiratory rate, shaking of hands, excessive sweating, and blurriness of thoughts. The major reason for these physical sensations is the intrusive thoughts that urge the individual to exhibit compulsive behavior. Throughout the OCD attack, individuals feel that they do not have control over their emotions and thoughts and can not perform their daily life activities. These thoughts are the major source of their increased stress or anxiety levels.
Read More About: Understanding the Biology of OCD
The Nature of OCD attacks
The episode of OCD attacks comprises a cycle of obsessions and compulsions such as:
1. Intrusive thoughts
Obsessive or intrusive thoughts are unwanted or undesired thoughts that negatively affect the mental stability of OCD individuals. Due to obsessive thoughts, individuals remain in continuous fear and experience an intense rise in anxiety. Obsessive thoughts are of the following types:
- Fear of contamination
- Fear of self-harm or harming others
- Excessive concern with order and symmetry
2. Compulsive behaviors
Compulsive behaviors are repetitive actions that are performed to decrease stress or anxiety. However, they only get temporary relief from the compulsions. The most common compulsions include:
- Checking the doors or windows
- Checking the stove
- Counting or arranging things
Symptoms of OCD attack
Individuals suffering from OCD attacks usually experience the following symptoms:
- Obsessions
- Compulsions
- Anxiety
- Physical sensations
Read More About: Symptoms checklist: Do I have OCD?
Different types of OCD obsessions and compulsions
The following are the common types of OCD obsessions and compulsions:
Common OCD obsessions
1.Contamination
Individuals take excessive stress from getting contaminated by dirt, germs, or any infectious particle. Due to their fear, they excessively wash their hands until they feel that their hands are clean.
2. Harm
They remain extra concerned that they will harm any person or can also harm themselves. Therefore, they repeat checking to ensure that they are safe or not and that other individuals are also in the safe zone.
3. Order and Symmetry
Individuals remain extra concerned with arranging things in order and symmetry.
Other obsessions include:
- Sexual and violent thoughts
- Religious thoughts
Common OCD compulsions
1. Checking
Individuals have a fear that they have left the stove open, or forget to close the door or window. Therefore, they check them again and again until they realize that they are closed.
2. Counting
They keep counting things again and again and think that the numbers are not accurate.
3. Cleaning
Individuals repeatedly wash their hands or take body showers. Likewise, they repeatedly groom themselves to reduce their stress or anxiety levels.
4. Mental rituals
OCD individuals also repeat certain words or phrases in their minds. They feel that they can drop down their stress levels by doing this and get a sense of security.
Causes of OCD attacks
Different studies have different findings regarding the cause of OCD. However, the exact cause of OCD is still not clear. However, most of the researchers have reported the following factors that can cause OCD attacks.
1. Stressful scenarios
Any new or unexpected change in life can also make the person anxious and can exacerbate the OCD attack symptoms such as finding a new job, shifting to a new place or location, personal or financial loss, or experiencing any other loss in life can be the major cause of OCD attacks and elevation in the severity of symptoms.
2. Specific situations
Most of the scenarios can act as reminders of obsessions and induce OCD attacks, such as seeing someone who excessively washes their hands without any apparent need.
3. Environmental factors
As obsessions related to dirt or contamination are more common, any space or area that is not clean and seems dirty or unhygienic can also activate strong feelings of contamination.
4. Alterations in daily routine
Most of the people remain happy and calm when they stick to their daily routine. However, any change in their routine can put them in an extra mental strain.
What happens in the brain during the OCD attacks?
Multiple brain scans have reported that during OCD attacks, some brain regions show increased activity, which include:
- Anterior cingulate
- Orbitofrontal cortex
1. Overactivation of ACC and OFC
Individuals with OCD experience increased activity of the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate. The overactivation of these regions results in the occurrence of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior.
2. Imbalance in neurotransmitters
Hyperactivity, the common and major OCD symptom, is due to the imbalance in the level of neurotransmitters, which include glutamate and serotonin.
3. Changes in neural circuit
Certain negative changes also occur in the neural circuit, which in turn also results in the development of obsessions and compulsions.
How to stop an OCD attack?
Once the OCD attack is initiated, it is very difficult to stop this. However, the reduction in intensity or severity of the OCD attack is possible with the help of specialized treatment or coping strategies. Professional mental health experts employ evidence-based therapeutic strategies which include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and exposure and response prevention therapy. These therapies are ideally effective in decreasing the frequency and intensity of OCD attacks. Likewise, if the symptoms of OCD are severe, then experts recommend psychiatric medications to manage the symptoms of Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Why is treating OCD attacks important?
OCD is a severe mental illness, but the occurrence of OCD attacks can make this illness more challenging. The untreated symptoms can negatively affect relationships and personal as well as professional life.
However, if the symptoms of OCD attacks are treated on time, then you can effectively communicate with your loved ones and show your positive contribution to each social activity.
1. Treatment approaches
The following treatment options are considered effective in the treatment of OCD attacks.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy, is considered a highly effective treatment for OCD attacks. Individuals can identify the triggers of OCD attacks. Moreover, they also learn to deal with intrusive thoughts and the best coping strategies to break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Cognitive behavioral experts develop a serene, friendly, and non-judgmental environment where individuals share their fears and intrusive thoughts with them and learn the ways to overcome them.
3. Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
Exposure and response prevention therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves the gradual exposure of individuals to situations, objects, or places that induce fear. Experts first asked the individuals to make a list of their fears and then face them one by one. Initially, they face difficulty, but with time, they adapt and stop responding to their fear.
4. Psychiatric medications
Psychiatric medications are used to manage the severe symptoms of OCD. If the therapy is not providing the desired results alone, then experts recommend different psychiatric medications such as antidepressants.
5. Antidepressants
Antidepressants belong to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and specifically function to reduce the stress or anxiety levels associated with OCD symptoms. Moreover, their main role is to increase the serotonin levels in the brain. Most common antidepressants involve:
- Paxil
- Lexapro
- Luvox
- Zoloft
6. Combined therapy
As the name indicates, combined therapy involves the combined use of both psychiatric medications and psychotherapy. Medications help diminish the symptoms of OCD attacks, while cognitive behavioral therapy provides coping strategies to deal with both obsessions and compulsions.
7. Ketamine infusion therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy is also used for the treatment of OCD attacks. Ketamine can reduce the symptoms of OCD, which include obsessions and compulsions. This therapy is used in those cases when other traditional treatments are not resulting in the best outcomes.
Top ways to manage the OCD attacks
With the help of the following strategies, you can manage the symptoms of OCD:
1. Mindfulness techniques
Different ways help in reducing anxiety and make the person calm and relaxed. Some common mindfulness techniques involve meditation, deep breathing, yoga, etc.
2. Acknowledge your thoughts
Intrusive thoughts negatively affect the minds of individuals. Individuals should try to accept reality instead of taking stress over them. You can also ask yourself some questions, such as ’Can I handle my intrusive thoughts?’ When you start thinking about this, your mind will immediately focus on accepting the intrusive thoughts and focusing on strategies to prevent them.
3. Limit the compulsions
Make efforts to limit your compulsive behaviors. You can also set a schedule for some activities. For example, if you are doing anything, then set a time frame and try to complete that in the selected timeframe. Initially, you will face some difficulties, but with time you will get used to following the period. Then after some time, try to reduce the period.
4. Challenge your compulsive behaviors.
Whenever you feel the urge to perform any compulsive behavior, divert your mind to doing any other activity such as watching a favorite drama or serial, reading a book, or going out for a long walk. By doing these activities, you will also feel mentally relaxed.
5. Stick to your treatment plan
Whatever your treatment plan is, you should stick to the schedule. Take care of your medication dosage and the time at which you are taking that and don’t miss any dose. If you follow the treatment plan consistently, the more rapidly you will see the results.
6. Muscle relaxation
If your body muscles are stiff, then you will feel anxiety. But with muscle relaxation, you can alleviate the anxiety associated with OCD attacks. First, stretch your muscles and then relax them. Start doing this from your toes and all over your body, and then end it towards your head. Your physical tension will ultimately get reduced and you will feel mentally calm and relaxed.
7. Support groups
You can also join different support groups where you can interact with individuals who are facing the same mental illness. Group members share their life experiences and learn multiple coping strategies from each other.
8. Healthy lifestyle
Your lifestyle is also linked to your mental health. Make a schedule and focus on the following things:
9. Absolute Nutrition
Your diet should contain sufficient proteins, carbohydrates, and essential fats. Moreover, it also adds the required nutrients and minerals. Different studies have reported that if you take the appropriate dosage of vitamin D, then the worsening of symptoms of OCD attacks will decrease.
10. Sleep Cycle
A healthy sleep cycle is directly linked with positive mental health. If you are not getting adequate sleep, then you are more likely to suffer from OCD attacks as compared to others. Therefore, try to make and then follow a sleep-wake schedule to diminish the effects of OCD attacks on your life.
11. Regular workout
Make a schedule to perform any physical activity so your brain remains mentally active and healthy. Multiple studies have reported that aerobic exercises are suitable for managing OCD symptoms.
12. Family therapy
Family members are those who provide support throughout the mental health journey. If you are a parent of any child who is battling with OCD attacks, then help your child remove the OCD symptoms from their life. Experts also conduct different sessions of family therapy and ask the family members to join and get rid of the OCD attack.
What not to do when having an OCD attack?
If you are the victim of OCD, then first you should avoid those factors that can trigger your OCD episodes. Here are a few major things that you should avoid if you want to prevent the onset of OCD attacks.
1. Avoid self-criticism
If you know that you have OCD then there is no need to feel any shame or guilt about your mental illness. Multiple intrusive thoughts appear in the mind that divert the attention of individuals to perform compulsive behavior. Therefore, first, recognize your thoughts that result in self-criticism and then train your mind to avoid those thoughts and the resulting behavior.
2. Body scanning
Body scanning is also a major compulsion in OCD. Most of the people feel a rise in their body sensations. This is common in OCD attacks. Therefore, they repeatedly check or scan their body. Their increased stress can also result in high blood pressure, sweating, and multiple heart issues. Therefore, avoid doing this somatic compulsion to stay mentally active.
3. Avoid rumination
Rumination is a core symptom as well as mental compulsion. Individuals with OCD experience the rumination that is directly linked with the increased severity of symptoms. So you have to be careful and prevent rumination to control your brain.
4. Start mental reviewing
Mental reviewing is also common in OCD. Individuals take stress and remain lost in their thoughts. They keep thinking about those events or experiences that happened in the past. Their mental reviewing also increases their stress levels. Therefore, they should avoid the mental review if they want mental peace.
5. Seeking reassurance
Seeking reassurance is also a major OCD compulsion. Individuals always try to seek validation from others, whether they are doing good or bad. This mostly happens in romantic relationships. Partners take excessive stress and always ask their partners whether they are happy in their relationships or not. So instead of asking for validation, sit with your partner and think about the ways to eliminate the anxiety.
How to help someone who is having an OCD episode?
Seeing your loved one dealing with OCD attacks is quite difficult. Instead of taking stress or feeling down, you should show your encouragement and support to your loved ones who are suffering. Tell them that they are not alone and you are with them. Repeat the sentences in front of them such that everything will be okay soon, and you will revert to your normal life.
Seek Professional help
Do you know anyone who is experiencing frequent or severe OCD attacks and is unable to manage daily life functioning, then guide them to take professional help. Renewed Mental Health Group is one of the renowned mental health platforms that offers the best treatment and coping strategies for OCD attacks. Remember that early intervention can help you to prevent future consequences and live a mentally active and healthier life.
We offer a huge and skilled team of mental health experts who are well-versed in each aspect of OCD attacks and the treatment that can work better. They not only provide mental health treatment but also mental health counseling so you can vanish the OCD attack and improve the quality of your life.
